Homa Bay County, already grappling with a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, is facing a troubling shortage of free condoms supplied by the government and development partners. The issue, which has persisted for the past three months, has been attributed to delays in the procurement process and is reportedly widespread across Kenya.
Steven Oyugi, the South Nyanza Regional Manager for the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council, confirmed the shortages and expressed concern over its impact. The scarcity of condoms is jeopardizing the fight against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as well as unintended pregnancies. Oyugi emphasized that the problem is not isolated to Homa Bay but affects multiple regions in the country.
Mercy Kwamboka, President of the Youth Advocacy Council for Health (YACH), highlighted the severe implications of the shortage. She warned that the absence of condoms in public dispensers could lead to increased risky sexual behavior among youths, potentially resulting in a surge in HIV infections and unplanned pregnancies. “Without condoms in dispensers in public places, youths are likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour which will lead to a rise in infections and unplanned pregnancies,” Kwamboka stated during the International Youth Week celebrations.
The shortage has sparked concern among local youths, who have taken to social media to demand immediate action from the government. The reproductive health stakeholders, who gathered during the International Youth Week celebrations, are urging relevant agencies to expedite the resolution of the issue. They pointed out that many public condom dispensers are empty, exacerbating the problem in a region with already high health risks.
According to the Kenya Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (Kenphia) report, Homa Bay County has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the nation at 19.6 percent. The local HIV Coordinator, Omondi Obunga, called for patience from residents, assuring them that the situation would be addressed soon. “Condoms may be in short supply but the issue will be resolved soon,” Obunga said.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the County Director at the State Department of Youth Affairs, Elector Opar, acknowledged the triple threats of new HIV infections, gender-based violence, and defilements that continue to challenge the county. Opar also emphasized the growing concern over mental health issues affecting the youth.
Zahra Hassan, representing Governor Gladys Wanga’s office, highlighted the county government’s commitment to addressing these issues through various programs. She noted that the county government is running initiatives designed to empower youth and children, including scholarships and mentorship programs. “The county government is running programmes that are meant to empower youth and children. It includes scholarships and mentorship programmes,” Hassan explained. She also mentioned that digital communication will be leveraged to better reach the youth and provide necessary support.
As the situation unfolds, the need for a prompt and effective response from the government and development partners remains critical. The ongoing shortage underscores the urgent need for improved procurement and distribution processes to ensure that vital reproductive health resources are consistently available to those who need them most. The health and well-being of the youth in Homa Bay County hang in the balance, and the community’s call for action has never been more urgent.
